Uses of DNA Forensic Identification

As you have read in the previous posts that have been included in this blog, you can see that DNA Fingerprinting can be very complicated but also extremely useful. Did you know that DNA Identification was used in confirming the remains of many people that were killed in the September 11th attacks on the WTC. A Database was also created to help find the victims of the Holocaust. Creating this project was called the Shoah Project. It succeeded in reuniting many families with their loved ones. As you can see, DNA is not only used for convicting criminals or for even setting the innocent free. It is not only used for paternity tests either, but also helping many people in identifying remains of lost relatives and friends. I find DNA Forensics to be one of the most important technologies that has been discovered and evolved. With all the good it has done over the years and the progress that has been made, I look foprward to what else it has to offer in the near future and what new things develop.

How Forensic Identification Works

Any type of organism can be idfentified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that species, as I mentioned in my last post. Identifying individuals within a species is less precise at this time, although when NA sequencing technologies progress farther, direct comparison of very large DNA segments, and possibly even whole genomes, will become feasible and practible and will allow precise individual identification.

To identify individuals, forensic scientists scan 13 DNA tregions, or loci, that vary from person to person and use the data to create a DNA profile of that individual. This is sometimes called a DNA Fingerprint and is why I use the name as my title and topic. There ios an extremely small chance that another person has the same DNA profile for a particular set of 13 regions.
 
Some examples of DNA uses for Forensic Identification

1. Identify potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes
2. Exonerate persons wrongly accused of crimes
3. Identify crime and catastrophe victims
4. Establish paternity and other family relationships
5. Identify endangered and protected species as an aid to wildlife officials (could be used for prosecuting poachers
6. Detect bacteria and other organisms that may pollute air, water, soil, and food
7. Match organ donors with recipients in transplant programs
8. Determine pedigree for seed or livestock breeds
9. Authenticate consumables such as caviar and wine